Communication apparatus method for controlling communication apparatus and program

ABSTRACT

A communication apparatus includes a search unit that searches for another communication apparatus identified by information obtained from a captured image, a communication parameter control unit that provides another communication apparatus with a communication parameter for performing wireless communication with an access point, and a control unit that, if the information obtained from the captured image conforms to a predetermined format, performs control based on the information obtained from the captured image such that the search unit searches for another communication apparatus identified by the information and the communication parameter control unit provides another communication apparatus detected by the search with the communication parameter, and if the information obtained from the captured image does not conform to the predetermined format, perform control such that the search unit does not search for another communication apparatus and the communication parameter control unit does not provide another communication apparatus with the communication parameter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/009,537 filed Jan. 28, 2016, which claims the benefit of JapanesePatent Application No. 2015-017892, filed Jan. 30, 2015, which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to a communicationtechnique. In recent years, there have been increasing cases wherewireless communication functions are provided in electronic devices suchas a digital camera, a printer, a mobile phone, and a smartphone, andthese devices are connected to a wireless network for use.

To connect an electronic device to a wireless network, it is necessaryto set various communication parameters such as an encryption method, anencryption key, an authentication method, and an authentication key. Asa technique for facilitating the setting of these communicationparameters, there is a technique in which a mobile terminal reads aQuick Response (QR) code (registered trademark; the rest is omitted)indicating a communication parameter and displayed on an electronicdevice and sets the read communication parameter in an access point (thepublication of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-60623).

As discussed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2014-60623, a communication parameter is set triggered by the capturingof a QR code, thereby enabling reduction of a cumbersome input operationby a user. However, for example, a two-dimensional barcode such as a QRcode, which can encode much information, may also include various piecesof information other than information for use in setting a communicationparameter. If a mobile terminal erroneously sets a communicationparameter based on such information other than information to be used insetting a communication parameter, a failure may occur in a behavior ofa device, and wireless communication may not be correctly performed.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, a communicationapparatus includes a search unit configured to search for anothercommunication apparatus identified by information obtained from acaptured image, a communication parameter control unit configured toprovide another communication apparatus with a communication parameterfor performing wireless communication with an access point, and acontrol unit configured to, in a case where the information obtainedfrom the captured image conforms to a predetermined format, performcontrol based on the information obtained from the captured image suchthat the search unit searches for another communication apparatusidentified by the information and the communication parameter controlunit provides another communication apparatus detected by the searchwith the communication parameter, and in a case where the informationobtained from the captured image does not conform to the predeterminedformat, perform control such that the search unit does not search foranother communication apparatus and the communication parameter controlunit does not provide another communication apparatus with thecommunication parameter.

Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communicationapparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software functional configuration ofthe communication apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of acommunication system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of thecommunication system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the communicationapparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the communicationapparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of thecommunication system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following exemplary embodiments, the process is performed ofdetermining whether information acquired in capturing an image isinformation to be used in setting a communication parameter, and thensetting the communication parameter based on the acquired information.

With reference to the drawings, a communication apparatus according to afirst exemplary embodiment is described in detail below. A descriptionis given below of an example where a wireless local area network (LAN)system compliant with the Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) 802.11 series is used. The communication form, however,is not limited to a wireless LAN compliant with IEEE 802.11.

FIG. 3 illustrates a communication system according to the presentexemplary embodiment. The communication system illustrated in FIG. 3includes a camera 32, a mobile phone 33, an access point (hereinafterreferred to as “AP”) 34, and a wireless LAN network 31. A description isgiven below of a case where the camera 32 and the mobile phone 33participate in the wireless LAN network 31 formed by the AP 34 andcommunicate with each other via the AP 34 on the wireless LAN network31.

A description is given using a camera and a mobile phone as examples ofapparatuses in the communication system according to the presentexemplary embodiment. Alternatively, the apparatuses in thecommunication system may be other apparatuses such as a printer, apersonal computer (PC), a video camera, a smartwatch, and a personaldigital assistant (PDA).

Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the hardware configuration of acommunication apparatus 101 (each of the camera 32 and the mobile phone33) according to the present exemplary embodiment is described. Acontrol unit 102 executes a control program stored in a storage unit103, thereby controlling the entirety of the apparatus. The control unit102 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The storageunit 103 stores various pieces of information such as a control programto be executed by the control unit 102, image data, and a communicationparameter. Various operations described below are performed by thecontrol unit 102 executing a control program stored in the storage unit103. The storage unit 103 includes a storage medium such as a hard diskdrive (HDD), a flash memory, or an attachable and detachable SecureDigital (SD) card.

A wireless unit 104 performs wireless LAN communication compliant withthe IEEE 802.11 series. The wireless unit 104 includes a chip forperforming wireless communication. A display unit 105 performs varioustypes of display or outputs a sound. The display unit 105 has a functionof outputting visually recognizable information as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) or a light-emitting diode (LED), or outputting a sound asa loudspeaker. The display unit 105 has the function of outputting atleast one of visual information and sound information. The display unit105 includes a video random-access memory (VRAM). When visualinformation is displayed, the VRAM holds image data corresponding to thevisual information to be displayed. The display unit 105 performsdisplay control so that an LCD or an LED continues to display the imagedata stored in the VRAM.

An antenna control unit 107 controls the output of an antenna 108. Theantenna 108 can perform communication via a wireless LAN in the 2.4 GHzband and/or the 5 GHz band. An input unit 109 enables the operation ofthe communication apparatus 101 based on an input through the input unit109, which receives various inputs from a user. The input unit 109stores a flag corresponding to an input in a memory such as the storageunit 103. An image capture unit 110 includes an image sensor and a lensand captures a photograph and a moving image. The image capture unit 110reads a barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, or a QR code.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configurationof a software functional block for executing a communication controlfunction. In the present exemplary embodiment, each block included in afunctional block 201 of each of the camera 32 and the mobile phone 33 isstored as a program in the storage unit 103, and the program is executedby the control unit 102, thereby performing the function of the block.According to a control program, the control unit 102 controls eachhardware and calculates and processes information, thereby achievingeach function. Part or all of the functional block 201 may be achievedby hardware. In this case, part or all of the functional block 201 isconfigured by, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC).

In FIG. 2, a communication parameter control unit 202 executes acommunication parameter sharing process for sharing a communicationparameter between apparatuses. In the communication parameter sharingprocess, a provision apparatus provides a reception apparatus with acommunication parameter for performing wireless communication. Thecommunication parameter includes wireless communication parametersnecessary to perform wireless LAN communication, such as a Service SetIdentifier (SSID) as a network identifier, an encryption method, anencryption key, an authentication method, and an authentication key.Further, the communication parameter may also include a media accesscontrol (MAC) address, a passphrase, an Internet Protocol (IP) addressfor performing communication on an IP layer, and information necessaryfor an upper service. The communication parameter sharing processexecuted by the communication parameter control unit 202 may beperformed based on Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) or Wi-Fi Direct, which isdefined by Wi-Fi Alliance.

A barcode reading control unit 203 analyzes an image captured by theimage capture unit 110 and acquires encoded information. The barcodereading control unit 203 performs the process of analyzing a barcode, atwo-dimensional barcode, or a QR code.

A barcode generation control unit 204 generates a barcode, atwo-dimensional barcode, or a QR code and performs control fordisplaying the generated barcode on the display unit 105. A servicecontrol unit 205 controls a service on an application layer. The“application layer” refers to a service provision layer among upperlayers equal to or higher than layer 5 in the Open SystemsInterconnection (OSI) reference model. That is, the service control unit205 executes a printing process, an image streaming process, and a filetransfer process, using wireless communication by the wireless unit 104.

A packet reception unit 206 and a packet transmission unit 207 controlthe transmission and reception of all packets including a communicationprotocol of an upper layer. Further, the packet reception unit 206 andthe packet transmission unit 207 control the wireless unit 104 totransmit and receive a packet to and from a counter apparatus incompliance with the IEEE 802.11 standard.

A station function control unit 208 provides a station (STA) function ofoperating as an STA in the infrastructure mode defined by the IEEE802.11 standard. The STA function control unit 208 performs anauthentication/encryption process when operating as an STA. Further, anaccess point function control unit 209 provides an AP function ofoperating as an AP in the infrastructure mode defined by the IEEE 802.11standard. The AP function control unit 209 forms a wireless network,performs an authentication/encryption process on an STA, and manages anSTA. A data storage unit 210 performs control to write and read to andfrom software itself, and write and read a communication parameter andinformation of a barcode to and from the storage unit 103.

Further, the above functional block is merely an illustrative example.Alternatively, a plurality of functional blocks may form a singlefunctional block, or any of the functional blocks may be further dividedinto blocks for performing a plurality of functions.

The operation of the communication system having the above configurationis described. FIG. 4 illustrates a connection sequence whencommunication is set between communication apparatuses including thecamera 32, the mobile phone 33, and the AP 34. In this example, thecamera 32 participates in the wireless LAN network 31 established by theAP 34. Referring to FIG. 4, in F401, the mobile phone 33 already holds acommunication parameter for connecting to the wireless LAN network 31formed by the AP 34 and performing communication and performs a datacommunication process via the AP 34.

To cause the camera 32 to participate in the wireless LAN network 31,the mobile phone 33 causes, according to a user operation, the displayunit 105 of the mobile phone 33 to display a QR code in whichinformation necessary to set a communication parameter for communicationwith the AP 34 is embedded.

In F402, by using the image capture unit 110 of the camera 32, thecamera 32 reads the QR code displayed on the mobile phone 33. The camera32 determines whether information acquired from the read QR code isinformation for setting a communication parameter. This determinationmay be made based on whether the information acquired from the read QRcode conforms to a predetermined format. For example, in thisdetermination, it is determined whether the information acquired fromthe QR code includes a communication parameter itself. If acommunication parameter itself is included, the camera 32 determinesthat the acquired information is information for setting a communicationparameter. If a communication parameter itself is not included, thecamera 32 determines that the acquired information is not informationfor setting a communication parameter.

Alternatively, this determination may be made based on whether theinformation acquired from the QR code includes information foridentifying a partner apparatus with which to perform a communicationparameter sharing process. Yet alternatively, this determination may bemade based on whether the information acquired from the QR code includesa public key for generating an encryption key for conveying acommunication parameter when performing a communication parametersharing process. As a method for encrypting a communication parameterusing a public key when performing a communication parameter sharingprocess, for example, the publication of Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2013-17237 may be used.

If the information acquired from the QR code includes identificationinformation of an apparatus and/or a public key, the camera 32determines that the acquired information is information for setting acommunication parameter. Further, if the information acquired from theQR code does not include identification information of an apparatusand/or a public key, the camera 32 determines that the acquiredinformation is not information for setting a communication parameter.The public key may be a public key of an apparatus or a public key of auser. Further, the information for setting a communication parameter maybe a certificate for conveying a communication parameter usingencryption when performing a communication parameter sharing process.

Yet alternatively, this determination may be made based on whetherinformation for identifying a partner apparatus with which to perform acommunication parameter sharing process is described according to apredetermined format. For example, when the information for identifyinga partner apparatus with which to perform a communication parametersharing process is indicated by a MAC address, it is determined whetherthe information acquired from the QR code includes information using 48bits, six octets, and a hexadecimal representation. If the informationacquired from the QR code includes information using 48 bits, sixoctets, and a hexadecimal representation, the camera 32 determines thatthe acquired information is information for setting a communicationparameter. Similarly, the presence or absence of a public key may bedetermined based on the number of bits, the number of octets, and theinformation description format of the information acquired from the QRcode.

Yet alternatively, whether information for setting a communicationparameter is included, may be determined based on whether there isidentification information indicating a protocol of a communicationparameter sharing process or information indicating a mode forperforming a communication parameter sharing process. Yet alternatively,it may be determined based on whether there is identificationinformation of a one-time password method.

Referring back to FIG. 4, in this example, a case is described where itis determined that the information acquired from the QR code read by thecamera 32 in F402 includes information for setting a communicationparameter. In F403, to perform a communication parameter sharingprocess, the camera 32 starts the wireless unit 104 of the camera 32.

In F404, based on the information of the QR code read from the mobilephone 33, the camera 32 transmits a provision apparatus search signalfor searching for a parameter provision apparatus (the AP 34). Thissearch signal may be a probe request defined by IEEE 802.11.Alternatively, the search signal may be a probe request for specifyingan apparatus indicated by identification information included in theinformation read from the QR code.

If the provision apparatus search signal is received from the camera 32,then in F405, the AP 34 returns a response signal. In F406, as a resultof the exchange of the signals in F404 and F405, the camera 32 performsa communication parameter sharing process with the AP 34 detected as apartner apparatus in the communication parameter sharing process. Thecamera 32 shares a communication parameter with the AP 34 using wirelesscommunication by the wireless unit 104. Then, by using the acquiredcommunication parameter, the camera 32 connects to the wireless LANnetwork 31 formed by the AP 34. Then, in F407, the camera 32 performs adata communication process via the AP 34. In the data communication inF407, the camera 32 may perform communication on the Internet to whichthe AP 34 is connected, or may perform an image transfer service fortransmitting a captured image to the mobile phone 33 via the AP 34.

Next, with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5, the aboveoperation of the camera 32 is described. The flowchart illustrated inFIG. 5 is carried out by the control unit 102 of the camera 32. Thecamera 32 executes a control program stored in the storage unit 103,calculates and processes information, and controls each hardware. Theconfiguration may be such that some or all of the steps in the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 5 are achieved by hardware such as an ASIC.

The flowchart in FIG. 5 is started when the user indicates acommunication parameter setting mode through the input unit 109 of thecamera 32. If set to the communication parameter setting mode, then instep S501, the camera 32 starts a communication parameter settingapplication. The communication parameter setting application correspondsto the communication parameter control unit 202 and is an applicationfor performing a communication parameter sharing process.

If the communication parameter setting application is started, then instep S502, the camera 32 starts the image capture unit 110 andconcurrently displays, on the display unit 105, information for givingan instruction to capture an image of a QR code. According to anoperation received by the input unit 109, the camera 32 captures animage using the image capture unit 110.

When the image is captured, then in step S503, the camera 32 analyzesthe captured image according to the QR code rules and decodes thecaptured image. The camera 32 determines the content of the QR code readin step S502. In the determination in step S503, as described above, thecamera 32 determines whether information acquired from the read QR codeis information for setting a communication parameter. In step S503, thecamera 32 determines the type of the information acquired from the QRcode. If, as a result of the determination in step S503, the content ofthe QR code displayed on the mobile phone 33 and read by the camera 32is not information for setting a communication parameter, then in stepS509, the camera 32 gives an error message on the display unit 105 ofthe camera 32, and the processing ends. Further, if the image capturedin step S502 does not include a QR code, the camera 32 may give an errormessage on the display unit 105 of the camera 32, and then, theprocessing may end.

In step S509, the camera 32 produces display indicating that a QR codefor setting a communication parameter is not captured in the capturedimage. For example, the camera 32 displays character information such as“this is not a correct QR code” on the display unit 105. Until thecontent of the read QR code is information for setting a communicationparameter, the processing may return to step S502, and the camera 32 mayrepeatedly capture the QR code.

If, on the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S503,the content of the QR code displayed on the mobile phone 33 and read bythe camera 32 is information for setting a communication parameter, thenin step S504, the camera 32 determines whether the wireless unit 104 ofthe camera 32 is operating. If, as a result of the determination in stepS504, the wireless unit 104 has not yet been started, then in step S505,the camera 32 starts the wireless unit 104. If the wireless unit 104 hasalready been started, the processing proceeds to step S506.Alternatively, if, as a result of the determination in step S503, thecontent of the read QR code is information for setting a communicationparameter, the camera 32 may perform the processes of step S504 andsubsequent steps without receiving a user operation. Furthermore, thecamera 32 may inquire of the user about whether to perform thesubsequent processing. If an execution instruction is received from theuser, the camera 32 may perform the processes of step S504 andthereafter. When making this inquiry, the camera 32 may presentidentification information of an apparatus included in the read QR codeto the user, thereby inquiring of the user about whether to perform acommunication parameter sharing process with this apparatus.

Next, the camera 32 searches for a parameter provision apparatus (the AP34 in FIG. 4) using the wireless unit 104. If a parameter provisionapparatus is detected, then in step S506, the camera 32 performs acommunication parameter sharing process with this parameter provisionapparatus. This communication parameter sharing process may be performedusing WPS. Next, in step S507, the camera 32 determines whether acommunication parameter is received in the communication parametersharing process performed in step S506 and the communication parametersharing process is completed.

If it is determined in step S507 that a communication parameter isreceived, then in step S508, the camera 32 connects to the wireless LANnetwork 31 using the communication parameter received from thecommunication parameter provision apparatus and starts datacommunication via the AP 34. If, on the other hand, a communicationparameter cannot be received and the communication parameter sharingprocess fails in step S507, then in step S510, the camera 32 displays amessage such as “a setting process has failed” on the display unit 105,and the processing ends in an error.

As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, it ispossible to determine whether information acquired by capturing an imageis information to be used in setting a communication parameter, and thenset the communication parameter based on the acquired information. Thus,even if an image of a QR code including information to be used insetting a communication parameter is erroneously captured, possibilityof setting communication parameter based on this erroneous informationis reduced. That is, even if the image of a QR code includinginformation to be used in setting a communication parameter iserroneously captured, it is possible to reduce the occurrence ofincorrect performance in wireless communication. Further, according tothe present exemplary embodiment, the user can set a communicationparameter by a simple operation without caring about the content of a QRcode.

In the first exemplary embodiment, a case has been described where thecamera 32 is set to the communication parameter setting mode, and afterthe communication parameter setting application is started the camera 32reads a QR code. In a second exemplary embodiment, a case is describedwhere a QR code is read in the state where the parameter settingapplication is not started in advance. The configuration of eachapparatus is similar to that in the first exemplary embodiment.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the mobile phone 33 is alreadyconnected to the wireless LAN network established by the AP 34, and thecamera 32 newly participates in this network. With reference to aflowchart illustrated in FIG. 6, the operation of the camera 32 in thepresent exemplary embodiment is described. The flowchart illustrated inFIG. 6 is carried out by the control unit 102 of the camera 32 executinga control program stored in the storage unit 103, calculating andprocessing information, and controlling each hardware. The configurationmay be such that some or all of the steps in the flowchart illustratedin FIG. 6 are carried out by hardware such as an ASIC. The flowchart inFIG. 6 is started when the user designate an image capture mode throughthe input unit 109 of the camera 32.

If the image capture mode is indicated, then in step S601, the camera 32starts the image capture unit 110. According to an operation received bythe input unit 109, the camera 32 captures an image using the imagecapture unit 110. If an image is captured, then in step S602, the camera32 analyzes the captured image according to the QR code rules anddecodes the captured image. The camera 32 determines the content of a QRcode read in step S601. In the determination in step S602, similarly tothe first exemplary embodiment, the camera 32 determines whetherinformation acquired from the read QR code is information for setting acommunication parameter. In the determination in step S602, the camera32 also determines the type of the information acquired from the QRcode.

If, as a result of the determination in step S602, the content of the QRcode displayed on the mobile phone 33 and read by the camera 32 is notinformation for setting a communication parameter, then in step S609,the camera 32 starts another application corresponding to the readcontent. For example, if the content of the read QR code is addressinformation such as a uniform resource locator (URL) indicating theaddress of a web site, then in step S609, the camera 32 starts a webbrowser application and accesses this address. However, in step S609,similarly to step S509, the processing may end in an error. Further, if,as a result of the determination in step S602, the type of theinformation acquired from the QR code is identification information ofan application, the camera 32 may start an application indicated by theidentification information. As described above, if the type of theinformation obtained from the read QR code is not a type regarding thesetting of a communication parameter, the camera 32 performs processingaccording to the type of the information obtained from the QR code.

If, on the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S602,the content of the QR code displayed on the mobile phone 33 and read bythe camera 32 is information for setting a communication parameter, thenin step S603, the camera 32 starts the communication parameter settingapplication. In this case, the camera 32 may automatically start thecommunication parameter setting application without receiving a useroperation. Alternatively, the camera 32 may inquire of the user aboutwhether to start the communication parameter setting application. If aninstruction to start the application is received from the user, thecamera 32 may start the communication parameter setting application.

If the communication parameter setting application is started, then instep S604, the camera 32 determines whether the wireless unit 104 of thecamera 32 is operating. If, as a result of the determination in stepS604, the wireless unit 104 has not yet been started, then in step S605,the camera 32 starts the wireless unit 104. If the wireless unit 104 hasalready been started, the processing proceeds to step S606.

Next, the camera 32 searches for a parameter provision apparatus (the AP34 in FIG. 4) using the wireless unit 104. If a parameter provisionapparatus is detected, then in step S606, the camera 32 performs acommunication parameter sharing process with this parameter provisionapparatus. The communication parameter sharing process may be performedusing WPS. Next, in step S607, the camera 32 determines whether acommunication parameter has been received in the communication parametersharing process performed in step S606.

If it is determined in step S607 that a communication parameter has beenreceived, then in step S608, the camera 32 connects to the wireless LANnetwork 31 using the communication parameter received from thecommunication parameter provision apparatus and starts datacommunication via the AP 34. If, on the other hand, a communicationparameter is received and the communication parameter sharing processfails in step S607, then in step S610, the camera 32 displays a messagesuch as “a setting process has failed” on the display unit 105, and theprocessing ends in an error.

As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, theuser merely needs to capture a QR code, and thereby can easily set acommunication parameter, without caring about an application and afunction to be used.

In the first and second exemplary embodiments, a configuration has beendescribed where the mobile phone 33 is already connected to the AP 34,the camera 32 analyzes a QR code provided by the mobile phone 33, andsearches for a communication parameter provision apparatus based on theQR code analysis. In a third exemplary embodiment, a case is describedwhere the camera 32 is already connected to the AP 34, the camera 32captures an image of a QR code provided by the mobile phone 33, therebyconnecting the mobile phone 33 to the AP 34. The configuration of eachapparatus is similar to that in the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a connection sequence when communication is setbetween communication apparatuses including the camera 32, the mobilephone 33, and the AP 34 according to the present exemplary embodiment.In this example, a case is described where the mobile phone 33participates in the wireless LAN network 31 established by the AP 34.Referring to FIG. 7, in F701, the camera 32 already holds acommunication parameter for connecting to the wireless LAN network 31formed by the AP 34 to perform communication and performs a datacommunication process via the AP 34.

To participate in the wireless LAN network 31 established by the AP 34,the mobile phone 33 causes, according to a user operation, the displayunit 105 of the mobile phone 33 to display a QR code in whichinformation for setting a communication parameter for communication withthe AP 34 is embedded. The information for setting a communicationparameter is identification information of the mobile phone 33 andinformation indicating a request for a communication parameter.

In F702, by using the image capture unit 110 of the camera 32, thecamera 32 reads the QR code displayed on the mobile phone 33. The camera32 determines whether information acquired from the read QR code isinformation for setting a communication parameter. If it is determinedthat the information acquired from the QR code read by the camera 32 inF702 includes information for setting a communication parameter, then inF703, by using the wireless unit 104, the camera 32 transmits a searchsignal for searching for an apparatus indicated by the readidentification information. This search signal may be a probe requestdefined by IEEE 802.11. Alternatively, the search signal may be a proberequest for specifying an apparatus indicated by the identificationinformation included in the information read from the QR code.

If the search signal is received from the camera 32, then in F704, themobile phone 33 returns a response signal. In F705, the camera 32performs a communication parameter sharing process with the mobile phone33 detected as a communication partner in the communication parametersharing process as a result of the exchange of the signals in F703 andF704. Performing wireless communication with the wireless unit 104, thecamera 32 provides the mobile phone 33 with a communication parameterfor connecting to the wireless LAN network 31 formed by the AP 34 andcarrying out communication.

By using the communication parameter acquired from the camera 32, themobile phone 33 connects to the wireless LAN network 31 formed by the AP34. Then, in F706, the mobile phone 33 performs a data communicationprocess via the AP 34. In the data communication in F707, the mobilephone 33 may perform communication on the Internet to which the AP 34 isconnected, or may perform an image transfer service for transmitting acaptured image to the camera 32 via the AP 34.

As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, if,in response to the capturing of a QR code, the camera 32 recognizes themobile phone 33 requesting the reception of a communication parameter,the camera 32 can provide the mobile phone 33 with a communicationparameter for a network to which the camera 32 is currently connected.

In a fourth exemplary embodiment, a case is described where a QR codeincludes a public key as information for setting a communicationparameter. In the present exemplary embodiment, a case is describedwhere in the state where the camera 32 is already connected to the AP34, the camera 32 captures an image of a QR code of the mobile phone 33,thereby connecting the mobile phone 33 to the AP 34. The configurationof each apparatus is similar to that in the first exemplary embodiment.

A description is given of a connection sequence when communication isset between communication apparatuses including the camera 32, themobile phone 33, and the AP 34 according to the present exemplaryembodiment. In this example, a case is described where the mobile phone33 participates in the wireless LAN network 31 established by the AP 34.A case is described where the camera 32 already holds a communicationparameter for connecting to the wireless LAN network 31 formed by the AP34 to perform communication and carries out a data communication processvia the AP 34.

To participate in the wireless LAN network 31 established by the AP 34,the mobile phone 33 causes, according to a user operation, the displayunit 105 of the mobile phone 33 to display a QR code in whichinformation for setting a communication parameter for communication withthe AP 34 is embedded. The information for setting a communicationparameter is identification information of the mobile phone 33 andinformation of a public key of the mobile phone 33.

By using the image capture unit 110 of the camera 32, the camera 32reads the QR code displayed on the mobile phone 33. The camera 32determines whether information acquired from the read QR code isinformation for setting a communication parameter. The camera 32 alsodetermines the type of the information acquired from the read QR code.If it is determined that the information acquired from the QR code readby the camera 32 includes, for example, identification information of anapparatus, the camera 32 transfers the information read from the QR codeto the AP 34, using the wireless unit 104. That is, the camera 32transmits, to the AP 34, the identification information of the mobilephone 33 read from the QR code and a request for a communicationparameter.

It is assumed that this transfer is performed using the wireless LANnetwork 31, which is a secure link established between the camera 32 andthe AP 34. Alternatively, this transfer may be performed using a securelink different from the wireless LAN network 31. For example, thistransfer may be performed using secure proximity wireless communicationsuch as near field communication (NFC). Alternatively, this transfer maybe performed using communication other than wireless LAN such asBluetooth®. Alternatively, the camera 32 may cause the display unit 105of the camera 32 to display the identification information of the mobilephone 33 read from the acquired QR code and the request for acommunication parameter, and cause the AP 34 to read the identificationinformation and the request, thereby performing the transfer.

If it is determined that the information acquired from the QR code isnot information for setting a communication parameter, and if the QRcode is captured in the communication parameter setting mode, the camera32 performs the process described in step S509. Further, if it isdetermined that the information acquired from the QR code is notinformation for setting a communication parameter, and if the QR code iscaptured in a state other than the communication parameter setting mode,the camera 32 performs the process described in step S609.

If the information for setting a communication parameter is receivedfrom the camera 32, the AP 34 transmits a search signal for searchingfor a parameter reception apparatus (the mobile phone 33) indicated bythe identification information included in this information. This searchsignal may be a probe request defined by IEEE 802.11. Alternatively, thesearch signal may be a probe request for specifying an apparatusindicated by the identification information.

If the search signal is received from the AP 34, the mobile phone 33returns a response signal. As a result of the exchange of the searchsignal and the response signal, the AP 34 and the mobile phone 33 candetect each other as communication partners in a communication parametersharing process.

According to the above exemplary embodiment, the AP 34 transmits asearch signal to search for the mobile phone 33 serving as a receptionapparatus. Alternatively, the mobile phone 33 may transmit a searchsignal to search for the AP 34 serving as a provision apparatus. In thiscase, as soon as the mobile phone 33 displays a QR code, the mobilephone 33 starts transmitting a search signal. After the AP 34 receivesidentification information of an apparatus and a request for acommunication parameter from the camera 32, the AP 34 waits for a searchsignal from an apparatus (the mobile phone 33) indicated by the receivedidentification information. If a search signal is received from theapparatus (the mobile phone 33) indicated by the received identificationinformation, the AP 34 transmits a response signal to whichidentification information of a communication parameter sharing processor information indicating that a communication parameter sharing processis being performed is added. If a response signal is received to whichidentification information of a communication parameter sharing processor information indicating that a communication parameter sharing processis being performed is added, the mobile phone 33 recognizes that thetransmission source of the response signal is a partner apparatus in thecommunication parameter sharing process, and then performs thesubsequent processing. If a response signal is received to whichidentification information of a communication parameter sharing processor information indicating that a communication parameter sharing processis being performed is not added, the mobile phone 33 ignores thisresponse signal. Alternatively, the mobile phone 33 may not execute acommunication parameter sharing process with the transmission source ofthis response signal.

Next, the mobile phone 33 and the AP 34 having detected each other,perform the communication parameter sharing process. In thiscommunication parameter sharing process, the mobile phone 33 and the AP34 may exchange, for example, a communication parameter encrypted usinga public key as discussed in the publication of Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2013-17237.

By using the communication parameter acquired from the AP 34, the mobilephone 33 connects to the wireless LAN network 31 formed by the AP 34.Then, the mobile phone 33 performs a data communication process via theAP 34. In this data communication, the mobile phone 33 may performcommunication on the Internet to which the AP 34 is connected, or mayperform an image transfer service for transmitting a captured image tothe camera 32 via the AP 34.

As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, it ispossible to set a communication parameter by maintaining its security,while maintaining the convenience that a communication parameter is setin response to the capturing of a QR code as a trigger.

Other Exemplary Embodiments

In the above exemplary embodiments, a configuration has been describedin which apparatuses exchange information for setting a communicationparameter, using an image of a QR code. Alternatively, instead of thecapturing of a QR code, wireless communication such as NFC or Bluetooth®may be used. Alternatively, wireless communication such as IEEE 802.11ador TransferJet® may be used.

A QR code to be read is not limited to a QR code displayed on a displayunit, but can be, for example, a QR code attached in the form of a seal,etc. to the housing of a communication device. A QR code to be read mayalso be attached to an instruction manual or a package, such as acorrugated fiberboard, used to contain a communication device fortransportation and sale. Instead of a QR code, a barcode or atwo-dimensional barcode may also be used to implement theabove-described embodiments. Alternatively, instead of machine-readableinformation, such as a QR code, the above-described embodiments can beimplemented using information readable by a user.

Operations of the above-described first to fourth exemplary embodimentsmay be combined as needed. Examples of combinations include, forexample, if the camera 32 reads a QR code without participating in thewireless LAN network 31, the camera 32 performs the operation of thefirst or second exemplary embodiment according to whether the camera 32is in the communication parameter setting mode when reading the QR code.In this case, if the camera is in the communication parameter settingmode when reading the QR code without participating in the wireless LANnetwork 31, the camera 32 performs the operation of the first exemplaryembodiment. Further, if the camera 32 is not in the communicationparameter setting mode when reading the QR code without participating inthe wireless LAN network 31, the camera 32 performs the operation of thesecond exemplary embodiment. Further, if the camera 32 reads a QR codeparticipating in the wireless LAN network 31, the camera 32 performs theoperation of the third or fourth exemplary embodiment according to aninstruction from the user. Before a QR code is read, the user may set inadvance whether the third or fourth exemplary embodiment is to beperformed. Alternatively, when a QR code is read, the user may beprompted whether the third or fourth exemplary embodiment is to beperformed.

According to an operation of the user, the camera may select which ofthe operations of the first to fourth exemplary embodiments is to beperformed.

According to the above exemplary embodiments, after determining whetherinformation acquired by capturing an image is information to be used insetting a communication parameter, the process of setting thecommunication parameter based on the acquired information can beperformed.

Aspects of the present invention can also be achieved by the process ofsupplying a program for achieving one or more functions of the aboveexemplary embodiments to a system or an apparatus via a network or astorage medium, and causing one or more processors of a computer of thesystem or the apparatus to read and execute the program. Alternatively,aspects of the present invention can also be achieved by a circuit(e.g., an ASIC) for achieving one or more functions.

Other Embodiments

Embodiment(s) of aspects of the present invention can also be realizedby a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executescomputer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recordedon a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-Ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While aspects of the present invention have been described withreference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that theaspects of the invention are not limited to the disclosed exemplaryembodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded thebroadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications andequivalent structures and functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication apparatus comprising: a computerfor causing the communication apparatus to: determine whetherinformation obtained from an image captured in a mode for providing acommunication parameter for wirelessly communicating with an accesspoint includes a public key to be used for providing processing forproviding the communication parameter; provide the communicationparameter that is encrypted to another communication parameter in theproviding processing using the public key in a case where it isdetermined that the information obtained from the captured imageincludes the public key; and not perform the providing processing usingthe information obtained from the captured image in a case where it isdetermined that the information obtained from the captured image doesnot include the public key.
 2. The communication apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the computer includes one or more circuits and/or oneor more processors.
 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the computer causes the communication apparatus to performprocessing according to a type of the information obtained from thecaptured image in a case where it is determined that the informationdoes not include the public key.
 4. The communication apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the computer causes the communicationapparatus to end the mode or receive an input of another captured imagein a case where it is determined that the information obtained from thecaptured image does not include the public key.
 5. The communicationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computer causes thecommunication apparatus to search for the other communication apparatusto which the communication parameter is to be provided by wirelesscommunication in a case where it is determined that the informationobtained from the captured image includes the public key.
 6. Thecommunication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computercauses the communication apparatus to display information indicating anerror in a case where it is determined that the information obtainedfrom the captured image does not include the public key.
 7. Thecommunication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computercauses the communication apparatus to capture a bar code, atwo-dimensional code, or a Quick Response (QR) Code®, and wherein thedetermination is performed based on information included in the capturedbar code, two-dimensional code, or QR Code®
 8. The communicationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein in a case where it is determinedthat the information obtained from the captured image does not includethe public key and the information obtained from the captured imageincludes a URL, the computer causes the communication apparatus tocommunicate according to the URL.
 9. The communication apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein in a case where it is determined that theinformation obtained from the captured image does not include the publickey and the information obtained from the captured image includesidentification information on an application, the computer causes thecommunication apparatus to start an application indicated by theidentification information on the application.
 10. The communicationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication parameterincludes at least one of a Service Set Identifier (SSID), an encryptionkey, an encryption method, an authentication key, or an authenticationmethod.
 11. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe communication parameter to be provided by the communicationapparatus is information for performing communication compliant with theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11standard.
 12. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe computer causes the communication apparatus to encrypt thecommunication parameter using the public key in the providingprocessing.
 13. A communication method performed by a communicationapparatus, the communication method comprising: determining whetherinformation obtained from an image captured in a mode for providing acommunication parameter for wirelessly communicating with an accesspoint includes a public key to be used for providing processing forproviding the communication parameter; providing the communicationparameter that is encrypted to another communication parameter in theproviding processing using the public key in a case where it isdetermined that the information obtained from the captured imageincludes the public key; and not performing the providing processingusing the information obtained from the captured image in a case whereit is determined that the information obtained from the captured imagedoes not include the public key.
 14. A non-transitory storage mediumstoring a program for causing a computer to perform a communicationmethod, the communication method comprising: determining whetherinformation obtained from an image captured in a mode for providing acommunication parameter for wirelessly communicating with an accesspoint includes a public key to be used for providing processing forproviding the communication parameter; providing the communicationparameter that is encrypted to another communication parameter in theproviding processing using the public key in a case where it isdetermined that the information obtained from the captured imageincludes the public key; and not performing the providing processingusing the information obtained from the captured image in a case whereit is determined that the information obtained from the captured imagedoes not include the public key.